USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Newburyport > City Officers and the Annual Reports to the City Council of Newburyport 1911 > Part 11
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Presentation of flag from Hon. Albert Currier, in honor of whom the school was named, by his grandson, Master Lewis Balch, 2nd.
Acceptance of flag, Miss Sarah B. Chute, principal of the school.
Singing, "America," by the audience.
Benediction, Rev. F. N. Merriam.
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REPORT OF THE PRINCIPAL OF THE HIGH SCHOOL
To Mr. E. L. Willard, Superintendent of Schools:
I submit the following as my annual report of the work and conditions of the high school:
The history of the school differs very little from that of the past few years. The steady increase in attendance which began ten years ago, at the time we entered the remodeled building, still continues. This year the enrollment for the first month was 462, a gain of 22 over the previous year. This is slightly more than the average gain (20) of the past ten years. The class to graduate next June is much smaller than last year's class, so if the ninth grade has an average attendance it is practically certain that the average increase will have to be provided for next year.
The proper housing of the high school has become an urgent question. The seating permanently of nearly one hundred pupils in the basement where the floor is below the ground level and the only means of ventilation is by opening windows, is seriously to be questioned. If the use of the assembly hall for the seating of pupils is to be continued, then the rear should be partitioned off. This would necessitate the discontinuance of the room for assembly purposes, a move greatly to be regretted. Counting the 30 seats now in the assembly hall, we have permanent seating for 454 pupils. Where shall we find additional seat- ing room? This ought to engage earnest attention at once.
From another standpoint we need additional room. There are fifteen teachers in the building all the time and two days in the week the sixteenth comes there to work. There are only twelve recitation rooms, the typewriting room and the laboratory. Lack of room makes it impossible to utilize to the best advantage the teaching force and does not allow the proper broadening of the school work, especially in science. We need laboratory room and equipment for work in physiology, botany and zoology.
Several changes in the faculty are to be noted: Mrs. Marion A. Guilford, a graduate of Radcliffe and a teacher for two years in New York state, was selected to take Miss Sullivan's place. The vacancy caused by the resignation of Miss Phillips was filled by the election of Miss Ellen S. Somerby, a graduate of Radcliffe and a teacher for several years in Franklin, Mass. The vacancy in the commercial department caused by the resignation of Miss Chase was filled by Miss M. Gertrude Jones. Miss Jones was a successful teacher for several years in the Gardner, Mass., High school. To take care of the overflow in the Assembly hall Miss Mildred E. Collyer was chosen. Miss Collyer graduated from
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ANNUAL REPORTS.
Boston University and has taught at Winchendon and Concord, Mass. Judging from the manner in which these teachers have entered upon their work, the school is to be congratulated upon the selections made.
The sixth annual contest in prize-speaking for the Paul A. Merrill prize was held in April. The contestants were trained by Miss Grace Carlton Moody and the results obtained speak well for her ability in this line of work. It would be of great advantage to the school if all rhetorical exercises could be placed permanently in her care. The prizes were awarded as follows: Boys, the first, ten dollars, to Bremmer Lunt; the second, five dollars, to Paul W. Weymouth; girls, the first, ten dollars, to Esther B. Merriam; the second, five dollars, to Marion L. Coffin.
The judges were: Charles I. Pettengill, Amesbury; Clinton J. Richards, Supt. of Schools, West Newbury; Rev. Laurence Hayward, Newburyport.
For six years Mr. Merrill regularly sent to the principal a check to be used in payment of the prizes. When able to attend he found great pleasure in the efforts of the pupils. His interest for the continuance of effective rhetorical work led him to make permanent provision for these contests. The income from the thousand dollars put aside in his will for this purpose makes it possible.
Last June a class of 72 was graduated, the largest in the history of the school. In September, 19 from the school entered college and seven the Normal schools. Six graduates have returned for further preparation for college. The colleges to which we have sent pupils this year include: Harvard, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Holyoke, Wesleyan, Massachusetts Agricultural, New Hampshire State, and Dartmouth.
Last September 155 new_pupils were admitted to the first year class. Twenty-six of these came from adjoining towns. There are at present in the school 29 who are paying full tuition, besides the 65 provided for by the Putnam trustees.
Very truly, WALTER E. ANDREWS.
Nov. 27, 1911.
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GRADUATION EXERCISES, CLASS OF 11911
PROGRAM.
March-March and Chorus from Tannhauser Lange Ethelyn Morse Weare.
Prayer
Rev. Walter H. Nugent.
Music, "Festival Hymn"'
Chorus.
Buck
Recitation-Salutatory Rank-Extract from "The Coming of Arthur"' Faustina Elma Smith.
Essay-"'School Life in France"' Viking Enebuske.
Violin Duet-"Marche Triomphale"
Drdla
Margaret Constance Hennessey, Elizabeth Louise Hennessey.
Pianist, Sarah Bernice Gerrish.
Essay-" Oldtime Gardens" Elsie Staniford Dole.
Class Prophecy
Paul Warren Weymouth.
Essay-"Newburyport Highways"'
Sarah Bernice Gerrish.
Music-"'Rose Waltz"
Girls' Chorus
Peuschel
Essay-"Shipbuilding in Newburyport'' Lawrence Bradstreet Johnson.
Essay-"History of the Newburyport High School," with valedictory. ...
Presentation of Diplomas Margaret Reid Merriam.
Class Ode Words by Charlotte Colt Bayley.
At the turn of Life's hour glass now do we pause As the last golden sand grains are run; On the morrow, new hours, new duties begin, For the days of our High School are done. The Years we have spent here have fleeting passed, Just a moment-they all will be o'er; But the memories they've brought us, the friends we have made Shall be treasured and kept evermore.
Let's remember the words of the prophet of old Who sang his good song and obeyed "Endure hardness like soldiers, and be of good cheer; For so, as man works, he is paid." Let our motto, Dear Classmates, in hours to come Be our comfort when trials befall; Then let Courage and Toil be the Master we serve, Proving truly that "Labor wins all."
Benediction
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ANNUAL REPORTS.
GRADUATED WITH HONOR.
Margaret Reid Merriam. Faustina Elma Smith
A pupil to graduate with honor must maintain for each year a general average of A. In one subject his work may be B provided it is 85 or better.
GRADUATED WITH CREDIT.
Margaret Fletcher Cole Jules Gagnon
Edward Carleton Gibbons
Elsie Staniford Dole Sarah Bernice Gerrish t Ruth Elizabeth Schermerhorn
Lawrence Bradstreet Johnson
A pupil to be graduated with credit must maintain for each year a general average of 85 or better. One study may be below this average, and this must be at least grade B.
SPECIAL HONORS.
Marguerite Stevens Balch-Chemistry, Geometry
Edward Russell Bartlett-German, Physics
Marie Louise Bernard-Geography, Physiology
Elizabeth Noyes Carter-Geography, Physiology Ruth Harriet Currier-Geography
Dorothy Dexter-Physiology, Chemistry
Viking Enebuske-Physics Malcolm Noyes Goodwin-Physics
Frank Stanley Gove-Physics
Grace Lillian Langley-Phonography
Eleanor Noyes Lowell-Geography, Botany, Physiology
Josephine Pierce Little-English, Chemistry
Joseph Davis Rolfe-Geography Rita Cushing Parsons-English, Geography, Physiology Marion Sumner Stickney-Phonography
Paul Warren Weymouth-French, German, Physics
Honors in special studies will be given to pupils whose yearly marks in the particular studies are A's, provided the maximum amount of time allotted these studies in the course pursued by the pupil is taken.
tA pupil in this school for two years.
GRADUATES OF THE HIGH AND PUTNAM SCHOOLS
FOUR YEARS' COLLEGE COURSE.
*Edward Carleton Gibbons
Lawrence Bradstreet Johnson
Margaret Reid Merriam Thomas Francis O'Neil
SCIENTIFIC COURSE.
Edward Russell Bartlett Fay Mills Conant Viking Enebuske Jules Gagnon Malcolm Noyes Goodwin Frank Stanley Gove James Edward Hardy Allen Snow Herrick
Herbert Eugene Jacoby Richardson Grant Knowland Harold Greenleaf Little John Sumner Lovejoy John Young Macintosh Paul Warren Weymouth Irving Taylor Winder Lawrence Irving Winder
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
NORMAL COURSE.
Mary Louise Bernard Elizabeth Noyes Carter
* Emmie Beatrice Small Faustina Elma Smith
GENERAL COURSE.
Marguerite Stevens Balch Charlotte Colt Bayley Gerald Sanford Bradford
Elizabeth Louise Hennessey
Margaret Constance Hennessey
Flora Evelyn Huntington
Roy Jackson Chase
** Pauline Hodgdon Colby
Marion, Elizabeth Jordan * Albert Noyes Little Josephine Pierce Little Marion Danforth Lovett
* Margaret Fletcher Cole Ruth Harriet Currier Dorothy Dexter
Arthur Bryant Dimmick
Eleanor Noyes Lowell Anthea Mae Mullen Rita Cushing Parsons
Anna Belle Dodge
** Elsie Staniford Dolu
Wilhelmina Louise Plumer
Beatrice Birrell Fisher
*Everett Emerson Rich
Marion Pearl Foster
*Joseph Davis Rolfe
Howard Leonard Ross
** John Clifford Stanton
COMMERCIAL COURSE.
Hazel Blanche Beaton Freeman James Condon
Grace Lillian Langley
Daniel Francis O'Connor
Helen Regina Creeden
James Pettingell
Alice Elizabeth Genn
Margaret Chapin Piper
Harold Edward Jellison
Abbie Francis Ryan
Mary Beatrice Joyce
* Marion Sumner Stickney
Olive Littlefield Knight
* Gertrude May True
*Richard Brockway Little Clara Isabelle Lord
Helen Lillian Weare George William Welch
Sarah Bernice Gerrish Ruth Elizabeth Schermerhorn
** These pupils enrolled in the five years' college course have completed work equivalent to that demanded by the general course, and are therefore ranked with the class of the present year and participate in the graduation exercises, but they cannot receive their appropriate course diploma until next year.
*Graduates of the Putnam Free School.
REPORT OF THE PRINCIPAL OF THE TRAINING SCHOOL
Mr. Edgar L. Willard, Superintendent of Schools:
Dear Sir :- In reviewing the work of the year that has just passed, no radical changes have taken place in this school.
The cry of last year and the year previous and every year has been room; more room to carry on to better advantage the work of the school; this same plea to our taxpayers can only be reiterated again at this time.
With more room the school could do more work for its pupil teachers, and if the matter of expense is to be considered, the same amount that the school now costs could easily care for twice the number of children.
When we consider the help the Training School has given to so many young ladies to fit them for their life work, we can almost wonder that it has accom- plished such an amount under the existing conditions. One hundred fifty-one teachers have been graduated since the school was started in 1889.
The members of the class that finished the course in June found no difficulty in obtaining very good positions.
Much substitute work has been done by the school in the year past. The Bromfield fourth grade was taught for a period of seven weeks, and the Han- cock fourth for the entire spring term with no extra expense to the city.
One of the pupil teachers was allowed by the committee to substitute in the city of Beverly for the spring term; one to substitute in Kingston, Mass., for the same time; that each of the young ladies received the permanent ap- pointment to the position where she had been employed is a proof of her good work and the satisfaction it had given to the school committee of the town. Another young lady was allowed to accept a school in a nearby town for the spring term. Besides these long periods much such work has been done in our school for separate days.
This substitute work in our city gives the superintendent a teacher ready to meet any emergency case with no expense to the city, and when the pupil teacher is allowed to go into other towns it broadens the field of work of the Training School, and adds greatly to the experience of the young teacher before she takes a permanent school of her own. Today one is substituting in the town of Boxford for several weeks.
Another help that the school has been able to give to our school system is the amount of individual work it has given to those children who come to us from other lands, children not advanced enough to enter classes with those of their own age and so old in years as to feel awkward and out of place in the class where they can work.
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ANNUAL REPORTS.
Many such children have been allowed to have extra individual work with a pupil teacher and have advanced rapidly.
Much clerical work has also been done in the office of the superintendent.
So if we consider this school from an economical point of view we find it doing four distinct branches of school work, namely:
Teaching four schools.
Graduating eight teachers each year.
Substituting in our schools.
Clerical work in the office of the superintendent and all this at much less expense than the cost of supporting four schools.
Respectfully,
FRANCES WARD RICHARDS.
REPORT OF THE PRINCIPAL OF THE EVENING SCHOOL
Mr. Edgar L. Willard, Superintendent of Schools:
The evening school opened Oct. 17, 1910, and closed March 31, 1911. The attendance was large and the work accomplished during the term of sixty-seven evenings was unusually satisfactory. The earnestness and industry of the pupils, and the fine feeling of sympathy between teachers and pupils produced excellent results. No one could have visited the school without being con- vinced of its necessity and its value, nor without feeling increased respect for these men and women who, after working hard all day, are willing to attend school three evenings in a week. Many of them are, as usual, of foreign birth,- natives of Turkey, Austria, Russia, Greece, Italy, and Finland. Some, when entering the school, could not speak a word of English, but all were eager to learn our language and the customs of their new country. Most of their in- struction was in reading, writing and speaking English.
In the other classes reading, writing, arithmetic and spelling were taught, and in the highest division there were students in algebra, geometry and bookkeeping. Once each week all the rooms were united for a short time and sang some of our patriotic songs. This feature of the school work was very popular with the pupils, and proved to be the means of retaining some at school longer than they would have remained otherwise.
At the close of the term seven scholars, who had attended every evening, were presented with books by the superintendent of schools. The Rev. Mr. Wright of the school board made a very interesting and instructive address. The exercises for the evening closed with violin selections by the Misses Hen- nessey and Miss Lunt.
The principal was assisted by Edith M. Merrill, Jennie P. Brown, Cora O. Jaques, C. Louise Woodbury, Gertrude E. Nelson, Flora Pettigrew and Catherine Hunt.
At the last session of the school there were present 12 natives of Armenia, 20 of Greece, 14 of Poland, 11 of Italy, 12 of Russia, 6 of Albania, 6 of Austria, 7 of Canada, 3 of Finland, 8 of Ireland, 2 of Germany, 1 of Roumania, 1 of France, 1 of Turkey, and 29 of the United States.
The new term began Oct. 16, 1911, with 159 pupils in attendance, the largest number of pupils at any one session since evening schools were established in this city. The same teachers were employed as last winter with the addition of Misses Jeanette Pillsbury, Vera Castelhun and Susan E. Lunt. As in previous years there are many of foreign birth, and they are taking hold of the work with great vigor, and are making remarkable progress in learning to speak and
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ANNUAL REPORTS.
write in English. The new books, just supplied, are admirably adapted to their needs. They will be a great help to the teachers, enabling them to better classify their pupils, and providing them with a system of instruction that has been very successful in Boston and other large cities where these books have been used.
The number of pupils taking advanced work is also much larger than before. This is especially gratifying.
Respectfully yours,
WM. P. LUNT, Principal.
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF[MUSIC
Mr. E. L. Willard, Superintendent of Schools:
Dear Sir :- The work in music having been carried on for fourteen years, with but little change from the lines originally laid down, any report from the supervisor must, of necessity, be but a repetition of former ones.
The almost imperative need of new material, for use throughout the city and particularly for the High school, impels me to again urge your attention to this fact. While that already provided would still be used, there is urgent need for more.
What there is has, by constant use, become so familiar that it is impossible to obtain the best results through the waning interest on the part of both teachers and pupils.
The question of giving a concert by the High School chorus has not yet been fully decided.
That such concerts have proved an incentive for good work on the part of the students, there is no doubt, and with the absence of our Choral Union, it would seem that a concert of this order might prove both interesting and a success financially.
Respectfully, ELIZABETH C. ADAMS, Supervisor of Music.
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ANNUAL REPORTS
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF DRAWING
Mr. E. L. Willard, Superintendent of Schools:
Dear Sir :- Since the time allotted for drawing is necessarily limited, I . have considered it wise to drop all of our feeble attempts at instructing pupils in the dozen different things that have recently become grouped under the head of drawing, such as clay modelling, cardboard construction, raffia work, stenc- eilling, etc., and have been trying to give the pupils a firm foundation for their future attempts in simple drawing and painting; to give them principles that will help them.
Each of the foregoing subjects and especially cardboard construction is excellent in its place, but without material, proper place and time, little can be done with them. Therefore I have ceased to try. Our drawing course now con- sists of measurement practise, printing, use of compasses, construction of geometrical forms, the study of perspective, view drawings, simple machine drawings, the painting and drawing of floral forms, illustrative work including pose drawing, design and color. This seems a variety of subjects, yet all are necessary.
There has been some discussion concerning the teaching of color. It seems hardly possible that anyone would question its importance in a drawing course. If children had no color sense, if many of the occupations of our future citizens did not require it, and if the world were painted gray, then there might be some reason in the question "Why do you teach color?" As it is, color is a very important branch of drawing, though we cannot give it the attention it should have.
I am trying to use the drawing mainly as a means to aid the child to think, to reason, to do for himself, to develop his quickness of perception and applica- tion, to be neat, to be truthful and to be accurate. That is about all any teacher situated as I am can do. There are large numbers of children who could be directed into different, definite paths of art, but we must leave that for the time when we can have more individual instruction. If there were a separate room for the instructor where she might have classes come to her, much more and better work could be done. We feel also the need of some way of exhibiting monthly the work of the schools. This would stimulate the interest immeasurably and it would not add very materially to the expense of the draw- ing appropriation.
In the latter part of last winter, Mr. Frederick L. Burnham, the state superintendent of drawing and manual arts, visited our city and schools for the first time. He came twice. He expressed himself pleased with the work,
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
telling us that we were carrying out the right ideas for the promotion of in- dividuality and self expression. He was desirous of helping us by rousing more outside interest, especially in the High school work, the only fault with which was, he said, lack of time, space and opportunity. He was upon the point of asking the school board that this be remedied, and of pointing out a way in which it might be done when, he, unfortunately for us, as for all the state, was taken ill and died very suddenly.
Since I first came to Newburyport, the High school classes in drawing have trebled in size; the drawing room has been converted into an ordinary recita- tion room, and where I formerly had but my own classes to attend to, I now have to teach eight consecutive classes, five of them mechanical classes of boys, and attend to the discipline of a goodly number of students besides, who sit in the rear of the room. I wonder if the school board is fully aware of this. The drawing benches have been taken out and ordinary desks put in. All of these things tend to make my work three times as hard as formerly. Good work cannot be expected under these conditions. And every year we are sending boys to the Institute of Technology and to similar institutions. The five days of the week are taken up in the following manner: Three in primary and grammar, two mornings in the High school, and two afternoons with the Train- ing school classes, with one lesson in the grammar school on Friday afternoon, besides the training class for good manners.
One of the features of the exhibition given by the manufacturers of New- buryport was a display of work by the schools. This work was done entirely during legitimate school time, was done as work of the regular course, was not made for show, and did, I believe, receive some very favorable comments. The chief fault was in the hasty arrangement, which could not be avoided, as sufficient time could not be given it by those in whose hands it rested.
It has been said that it is better to journey hopefully than to arrive. We have not arrived. It is to be hoped that our supply of hope will hold out until we do. There has been some excellent work done here. I trust that there may be some superior work done in the future.
Respectfully submitted,
Florence M. Murphy. Supervisor of Drawing.
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ANNUAL REPORTS.
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF COOKING
Mr. E. L. Willard, Superintendent of Schools:
Dear Sir :- The lessons in Domestic Science have been given in the Pur- chase street building and since Feb. 27, 1911, the girls in the ninth grade have had the privilege of attending. The curriculum for these classes includes: Study of fuels and cooking apparatus, food materials, classification and nutritive value, combinations and balanced meals, setting and serving the table.
In June, Miss Mary Jones resigned, much to our regret, and her sister, Miss Jones, was elected to fill the vacancy. Miss Jones seems much interested in the work and is helpful and efficient.
A text book, "Elements of the Theory and Practice of Cookery," by Williams and Fisher, has been adopted by the committee for our use.
We wish to express our appreciation to the school committee, who, through the Woman's Club, gave us some table linen and fourteen small gas stoves.
We are impatient to be at work in the new kitchen in the Albert Currier school and sincerely hope it may be equipped in the near future.
Respectfully submitted,
SARAH A. CHASE.
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF SEWING
Mr. E. L. Willard, Superintendent of Schools, Newburyport, Massachusetts:
Dear Sir :- At the present time there are one hundred and sixty-eight pupils in the sixth and seventh grades receiving instruction in sewing.
Each class has one hour lesson a week. In this limited time only the most practical stitches are attempted-basting, hemming, overhanding, overcasting, stitching, running and gathering.
Buttonholes, sewing on buttons, hooks and eyes, loops of tape, patching and darning are taught. Bags and underskirts are made. Towels for the cooking school are hemmed. The girls make their own aprons with bibs, sleeves and caps to use in cooking school the following year.
Since the last report the only marked change in connection with the sewing instruction is that the teacher now goes from school to school instead of hold- ing the classes in the Ashland street ward room and Purchase street school, except that two Jackman school classes are held Friday afternoons at the Pur- chase street school.
This new arrangement works out satisfactorily with the seventh grades, as the schedule is so arranged that the boys go to manual training during the girls' sewing hour.
In the sixth grades it is more inconvenient for all. Since last year manual training for the boys has been taken out of this grade, consequently the boys have to remain in the room during sewing lesson,
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